Flight Aware Pro Stick Plus, Feeding Basestation (2020)

[KeithB]

Hello all,

Are there any step by step instructions on how to set up a Flight Aware Pro Stick Plus, to feed data to the Basestation software please.

I have searched for this and only found three year old posts from users.

As with all things "techie" things do change rapidly.

I was therefore seeking up to date and hopefully easy instructions to make it all work.

I intend to use it on a laptop running Windows 10....

Please Help.. Thank you very much in anticipation...

[Anmer]

Welcome.

Are you using the ProStick with a Raspberry Pi (RPi)?  Or do you plan to use it with just your Windows PC?

I think you need at least ModeSMixer2, maybe also ModeSDeco2?  But I haven't found time to try this myself though I know other forum members have set up what you want to achieve.

Hopefully one or more will see your post and offer advice.

[KeithB]

Thank you for your reply Anmer.

I intend to use it purely for the Windows PC.

I Already have one running in conjunction with a "Pi"

Regards

[Anmer]

I think you can feed BaseStation off your existing FlightStick/RPi setup.

[Triple7]

Hi Keith,

It's fairly straightforward. I will try and put something together for you later. I have a busy afternoon so won't get a chance for a few hours.

If someone else chines in - all well and good, if not - standby.

Thanks,

Tim

[Triple7]

Hi Keith,

OK, let's see if we can get you going.

I don't know your level of computing skills, so I'll try and keep it simple - no offence meant if you know a lot of this already.

I assume you are using a FA Prostick with your RPi and that is set-up and running correctly. I also assume you are using Dupmp1090-fa – the one that would normally be installed to send data to FA.

You will need to download ModeSMixer2 (MM2) from here http://xdeco.org/?page_id=30#mm2 picking the windows version. Extract the contents to a suitable folder on your laptop.

You need to create a couple of batch files to run MM2. I use one that automates the start-up of MM2 and BaseStation, save in the MM2 folder. Use notepad and make sure the extension is .bat and not .txt. Check in Explorer to be sure and make sure you have hide file extensions un-ticked in folder options!

Here's the contents of batch file No. 1:

Code Select Expand

rem Startup File for ModeSMixer2 and Basestation
start /d "D:\Program Files\ModeSMixer2\" MM2_Basestation.bat
timeout /t 20
start /d "D:\Program Files\BaseStation\" basestation.exe


Obviously change the contents to suit your set-up. The timeout command is an internal windows command that "sleeps" for the No. of seconds you choose. It's just there to allow MM2 to get up and running properly (possibly not necessary).
Then you need to create batch file No. 2 'MM2_Basestation.bat' (you can call lit whatever you like, it just seemed logical to call it that).

The contents are here:

Code Select Expand

@echo off
cmd /c modesmixer2.exe --inConnect 192.168.1.67:30005 --inConnect 192.168.1.67:30105 --outServer sbs10001:10001 --outServer sbs30006:30006 --filter-nocountry --location xx.xx:-yy.yy --web 8090
PAUSE
exit


Explanation – inconnect picks up the two feeds from the FA stick. ADSB and returned Mlats. You need to use the correct IP address of your RPi in place of mine. The outserver part transcodes the data so BaseStation can use it. Enter your location (not necessary unless you want to use the web interface and have your location plotted on the map). Web 8090 – use any port you like that is not in use, that allows you to see the data on a google maps presentation in your browser by entering http://192.168.1.67:8090/# in the address bar. Again, not necessary if you are using BaseStation.

Create a shortcut on your desktop (if you like) to the  MM2_Basestation.bat file so it's easy to run - you can even have it run at start-up of windows if you like

In BaseStation, as you are running MM2 on the same PC under Settings>>Hardware settings address: is 127.0.0.1 port 10001
Settings>>Hardware settings Data source is Network.

Under Settings>>Data Settings I have the items ticked in the attached screen grab. Not entirely sure they are necessary here but are there as I also use PlanePlotter and the Mlat function in that package needs them ticked. No harm done if you have them ticked as well.

You should then see all the plots - ADSB and returned MLat's on your Basestation screen.

Let me know how you get on – take it one step at a time and I'm sure you'll crack it.

Good luck.

Tim


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[KeithB]

Hello Tim,

Thank you very much for your time..

I actually have a separate FA Prostick which I would like to use by just plugging it into the laptop, is that possible...

Please keep your instructions as basic as possible, like a four year old basically...

I can get as far as plugging in the stick to the laptop...

When I get past that stage I start to get lost...

Please be gentle with me... If you have the time to spare...

Thank you very much..

[Nigel]

Hi Keith

If you are simply plugging your Prostick into your PC/Laptop, you need to use ModeSDeco2 available here: http://xdeco.org/?page_id=39, and downloading the appropriate Windows version.

This is downloaded as a zip file which is then unzipped into a directory on your PC. Before running ModeSDeco2 you need to create a batch file. The easiest way to do this is probably to edit the modesdeco2_example.bat file provided using Notepad. Although I no longer use ModeSDeco2, the following batch file content did work for me using a Prostick plugged into my PC, and displaying the data in BaseStation:

@echo off
cmd /c modesdeco2.exe --gain 49.6 --location 53.57:-3.06 --web 8088 --db C:\Basestation\basestation.sqb --frdb C:\data\flightroute.sqb --silhouettes C:\data\logos --pictures C:\data\Photo --sbs10001 10001
PAUSE
exit

There are a few parameters in this you will need to change, although these are largely for using ModeSDeco2 to display your data which you may not want to do, so you can probably delete these:

--location coordinates (53.57:-3.06) are specific to my location
--db is followed by details of where my database (sqb file is located)
--frdb is followed by details of the location of a flight route database (you probably don't need this as it doesn't relate to the BaseStation display)
--silhouettes - again specific to the ModeSDeco2 display
--pictures -specific to display of images in ModesDeco2

After editing, ensure that you save the batch file as a <f'name>.bat file

Click on the batch file to start it running, and maybe create a shortcut on your desktop as suggested by Tim.

If you have edited and retained the various ModeSDeco2 specific parameters I have described above, you should be able to see the data displayed in ModeSDeco2 by entering 127.0.0.1:8088 in the address bar of your browser.

To view the data in BaseStation, start BaseStation and change the following settings along the lines indicated by Tim for Modesmixer2 i.e.

Under Settings>>Hardware settings>Network>Address: is 127.0.0.1 Port 10001

Under Settings>Data Source>Use Network

I hope this isn't too confusing but please get back to me if you have any questions or get stuck

Best wishes

Nigel

[Ken]

I'm in the a position as Keith with limited computer skills. I think I can follow Nigel's instructions although creating a batch file is unknown territory to me. Before I commence can some one explain what Pi is please and what the benefit is in setting it up with it rather than simply plugging it in. I want to use the Prostick with my lap top on the road without an internet connection.

Thanks

[Anmer]

Before I commence can some one explain what Pi is please and what the benefit is in setting it up with it rather than simply plugging it in. I want to use the Prostick with my lap top on the road without an internet connection.

I'm not sure what you're referring to called "Pi"?  Do you mean a Raspberry Pi, often known as an "RPi"?

To use your receiver (in your case a ProStick) with a laptop you can forget all about the RPi.  It's just a small computer which you don't need as you want to use a laptop instead.

For this setup, follow Nigel's instructions.  The aircraft message data from the ProStick needs decoding, hence the use of ModeSDeco2.

A batch file is a simple "program" to launch ModeSDeco2 and tell it where to find things such as the location of the BaseStation.sqb.

Although I've not tried this myself, Nigel's instructions look to be easy to follow, as are Tim's, which won't apply in your laptop setup.

[Ken]

Thanks. I'll give it a try this afternoon.

[Nigel]

Hi Ken

You don't need to create a batch file. If you download ModeSDeco2 there is an example batch file provided within the folder of files that you download. My advice would be to edit that in Notepad to produce something along the lines I provided. Just ensure that you have the relevant spaces between characters as per my example, and care when saving. Notepad will default to saving it as a .txt file. If you use File>Save As..., ensure that in the 'File name' box you type the name of the file (whatever you want to call it followed by .bat  Leave alone the 'Save as type:' box

I hope this helps

Best wishes

Nigel
 

[Ken]

I have been trying to set up the .bat file but I don't think I have been successful yet I can't see what I have done wrong. Taking the example downloaded with the programme I have changed the location to my co-ordinates and then deleted the flightroute, silhouettes and pictures elements and then renamed it as Norfolk2.bat so I end up with:

@echo off
cmd /c modesdeco2.exe --gain 49.6 --freq-correction 62 --location 52.72:0.46 --web 8088 --db C:\Basestation\basestation.sqb--msg 30003 --sbs10001 10001 --metric
PAUSE
exit

When I try to run it I get the following error message:

2020-06-05 11:21:43.019  INFO     ModeSDeco2 v.20180429
2020-06-05 11:21:43.024  INFO     The magnetic declination value is calculated
2020-06-05 11:21:43.054  INFO     Device: 0 mnf: ░·¾ prod: Ï°¾ serial: P
2020-06-05 11:21:43.082  ERROR    Can't open device: sdr_open(): No error
Press any key to continue . . .

That is as far as I get although when I tried to set up Basestation yesterday it indicated it was receiving but nothing showed up. This may be because nothing was in range. Currently I am on the edge of the Wash and aircraft are somewhat sparse at the present time. I waited until I knew an Aer Lingus A330 was due but it then showed not receiving.

I thought I had followed the instructions but can't see why I am not getting it set up correctly. Can anyone see what I am doing wrong please?

[KeithB]

Hi Keith

If you are simply plugging your Prostick into your PC/Laptop, you need to use ModeSDeco2 available here: http://xdeco.org/?page_id=39, and downloading the appropriate Windows version.

This is downloaded as a zip file which is then unzipped into a directory on your PC. Before running ModeSDeco2 you need to create a batch file. The easiest way to do this is probably to edit the modesdeco2_example.bat file provided using Notepad. Although I no longer use ModeSDeco2, the following batch file content did work for me using a Prostick plugged into my PC, and displaying the data in BaseStation:

@echo off
cmd /c modesdeco2.exe --gain 49.6 --location 53.57:-3.06 --web 8088 --db C:\Basestation\basestation.sqb --frdb C:\data\flightroute.sqb --silhouettes C:\data\logos --pictures C:\data\Photo --sbs10001 10001
PAUSE
exit

There are a few parameters in this you will need to change, although these are largely for using ModeSDeco2 to display your data which you may not want to do, so you can probably delete these:

--location coordinates (53.57:-3.06) are specific to my location
--db is followed by details of where my database (sqb file is located)
--frdb is followed by details of the location of a flight route database (you probably don't need this as it doesn't relate to the BaseStation display)
--silhouettes - again specific to the ModeSDeco2 display
--pictures -specific to display of images in ModesDeco2

After editing, ensure that you save the batch file as a <f'name>.bat file

Click on the batch file to start it running, and maybe create a shortcut on your desktop as suggested by Tim.

If you have edited and retained the various ModeSDeco2 specific parameters I have described above, you should be able to see the data displayed in ModeSDeco2 by entering 127.0.0.1:8088 in the address bar of your browser.

To view the data in BaseStation, start BaseStation and change the following settings along the lines indicated by Tim for Modesmixer2 i.e.

Under Settings>>Hardware settings>Network>Address: is 127.0.0.1 Port 10001

Under Settings>Data Source>Use Network

I hope this isn't too confusing but please get back to me if you have any questions or get stuck

Best wishes

Nigel

Hello Nigel,

Thank you for your instructions.. When I run the file:

@echo off
cmd/c modesdeco2.exe --gain 49.6 --location 51.35:-0.73 --web 8088 --db C:\Basestation\basestation.sqb --sbs10001 10001
PAUSE
exit

I get the following error message:

2020-06-05 11:54:30.150  INFO     ModeSDeco2 v.20180429
2020-06-05 11:54:30.158  INFO     The magnetic declination value is calculated
2020-06-05 11:54:30.313  INFO     Device: 0 already in use)
usb_open error -12
2020-06-05 11:54:30.366  ERROR    Can't open device: sdr_open(): No error
Press any key to continue . . .

Very much the same problem as Ken was/is having..

Can anyone help please.........

Thank you all again...

[Triple7]

Keith and Ken,

Sounds like you need to install the Zadig driver. Some good instructions here:

https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/how-to-install-pro-stick-dvb-t-on-windows/25070

You only need to follow step 1 - Driver

Then try to run your ModeSDeco batch files again.

The latest version of Zadig is 2.5.

Tim